Outdoor lighting

How to choose an outdoor light fixture?

Outdoor lighting ideas for every occasion

We know how easy it is to lose track of time when you're outside. Garden conversations are notorious for lasting well into the evening. You're chatting in the sunshine, then it's so dark you're struggling to find your way back inside.

Let the fun continue after dark with the help of an outdoor light fixture . Not only will it help you navigate safely by illuminating paths and grade changes, it can also create an atmosphere suitable for socializing and dining.

Outdoor lighting can be used to set the scene for any event, whether it's a romantic dinner on the balcony or a festival-style garden party to rival Glastonbury.

Whether you are looking for a permanent solution or one that can be set up and taken down whenever you need it, let us shed some light on the best options for you.

What area do you want to illuminate?

The area to be illuminated often determines the type of light fixture that is best suited for that space.

So, if you're looking to light a path , for example, you'll want a navigation light that will help people stay safe and easily follow the path, rather than a decorative alternative that might only light part of the path.

So think about your space and how you use it to shape your lighting design.

Do you want your lights to be portable?

When it comes to whether or not you can move your outdoor lighting, the power source plays a big role. Fixed electric lights need to be plugged into the mains, making them the ideal choice if you want lighting close to your home.

On the other hand, candles and battery or solar powered lights are not subject to any restrictions and can be moved as and when you want.

So if the area you want to light is far from your home, or you want to be able to adjust your light fixture depending on what you're doing, choose one of these options.

What are the different sources of lighting?

Power source is a critical consideration when choosing the best outdoor lighting for your needs.

LED lighting

LED lighting always shines as brightly and for as long as you want. Since it is a permanent installation, it must be set up and installed correctly.

Solar powered lighting

Solar powered lights do not require any wiring because they store the sun's energy in a battery, which is activated when the sun goes down.

Thanks to technological advancements, solar lights are now more powerful and last longer than ever before, so there's no need to buy extra ones to keep in reserve or worry about whether they'll last all night.

Solar batteries only need to be replaced if they stop working. Once you have purchased a solar light, simply place it in a convenient location and forget about it.

Battery operated lighting

Like solar options, battery-powered lighting requires no wiring and is portable. However, unlike solar, it emits a constant amount of light until the battery is depleted.

Batteries will need to be replaced from time to time, which becomes more regular with larger lighting options or if used more frequently.

This can be expensive, so if you're looking for larger options that will be used all the time, we recommend considering solar or electric powered versions.

What are the different types of outdoor lighting?

There are two types of outdoor lighting: functional and decorative.

• Task lighting : is usually fixed and helps you and others navigate your outdoor space, whether it’s the front or back garden, driveway or paths and alleys. It can also illuminate specific areas, such as patios and paved surfaces.
• Decorative lighting : allows you to create an ambiance and an atmosphere, for example when you are organizing a party or eating al fresco in the evening.

Add one or both to your outdoor space to create the perfect lighting concept for you.

Functional outdoor lighting

There are a number of options available when looking for functional lighting in your garden.

Wall lights

Used to enhance the exterior of your home as well as to illuminate your garden, wall lights are available in a wide range of designs, from traditional to modern, to suit your style.

Many are equipped with a passive infrared (PIR) sensor , which only activates when movement is detected within a certain perimeter (which can be up to eight meters). This ensures efficient use of lighting and saves energy.

These lights can be powered by mains, solar or battery, depending on your installation. Check out our collections for other coordinating lights.

Post Lamps

Also known as bollards , post lights are ideal for navigation and are often used to illuminate paths, driveways and home entrances.

For this reason, they usually require a power supply and must be installed on site, although we do offer some solar powered options.

Look for models with matching wall lights to create a coordinated design in your garden.

Safety lamps

Ideal for deterring intruders and allowing you to move around safely in the dark, most of our security lights feature a passive infrared (PIR) sensor that only activates when objects or people enter its field of vision.

This not only saves energy , but also ensures that neighbors and wildlife are not disturbed by a constant beam of light.

When choosing your PIR security light , pay attention to the detection angle, which tells you how wide the area covered by the sensor is.

Additionally, many of our sensor lights give you the ability to adjust how long the light stays on once activated, as well as the level of darkness at which the sensor begins to detect motion.

Stake lamps

Light up your flower beds and paths with solar-powered floor lamps . They are quick and easy to install by simply pushing them into the ground, with no wiring required.

Our range offers floor lamps up to 56 centimetres (cm) high, available individually or in packs. Add interest with our colour changing models.

Complete your offer with our mains powered spotlights , perfect for highlighting a particular feature in your garden, such as a tree or structure.

Lamps for terraces

Deck lights are suitable for both ground and raised decks, and provide essential guidance when going up and down the steps of raised decks.

If you're planning on adding a deck to your yard, stock up on deck lights before you start building, as they need to be installed on the deck boards before the job is finished.

Our deck lights are available in packs of two, six and ten and can be powered by solar or mains. Choose from different sizes and light colours (e.g. white and blue) to find the right one for your deck.

What are the different decorative outdoor lighting fixtures ?

Set the mood with our mood lighting options.

Lanterns

For mood lighting and decorative lighting, consider lanterns . Available in an attractive range of colours, styles and materials, this portable option can be placed or hung, creating lighting effects at different heights for maximum impact.

You can choose between solar lanterns , battery-powered lanterns or candle lanterns, whose clever design protects the flame from the wind.

Table lamps

For mood lighting when dining al fresco, explore our range of stone, glass or metal table lamps .

Ideal for creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere, they are most often equipped with a candle or a tea light, but there are also solar-powered lamps.

Available in a range of colours and styles, they complement all types of gardens and make an ideal centrepiece for table decorations.

Fairy lights

Just like Christmas lights , fairy lights are great for spreading the festive spirit.

Powered by solar or batteries, this decorative option comes with white, blue or multi-coloured bulbs and in a range of designs including eye-catching stars. Wrap them around fences, umbrellas, trellises or railings to light up the night.

Why not keep your lights securely hung with a decorative hanging basket bracket or external clips for a damage-free solution?

Outdoor lighting and IP protection ratings

There are a few features and technical specifications to consider when purchasing garden lighting .

IP protection rating

Electric, battery-powered and solar outdoor lighting have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating . This is their degree of protection against the intrusion of water and dirt.

The first digit of the IP rating refers to protection against intrusion , i.e. protection against moving parts and foreign bodies:

• 0: No special protection.
• 1: Protection against a large part of the body, such as a hand (but no protection against deliberate access); against solid objects over 50 mm in diameter.
• 2: Protection against fingers or other objects not exceeding 80 mm in length and 12 mm in diameter.
• 3: Protection against entry of tools, wires, etc. with a diameter of 2.5 mm or more.
• 4: Protection against solid bodies with a diameter greater than 1 mm (e.g. small tools).
• 5: Protection against dust that could damage the equipment.
• 6: Completely dustproof.

The second digit in an IP rating refers to protection against moisture :

• 0: No protection.
• 1: Protection against condensation.
• 2: Protection against water drops deflected up to 15 degrees from the vertical.
• 3: Protection against water splashes up to 60 degrees from the vertical.
• 4: Protection against water splashes from all directions.
• 5: Protection against low pressure water jets (all directions).
• 6: Protection against jets of water and waves.
• 7: Protection against temporary immersion.
• 8: Protection against the prolonged effects of immersion under pressure.

So, for example, a lamp with an IP rating of 68 will be very well protected against intrusion and humidity and will therefore be ideal for your garden pond.

A number replaced by an X indicates that the enclosure is not rated for that specification.

Therefore, a luminaire with an X4 rating has not been evaluated for intrusion, but provides protection against water spray from all directions.

What are the different bulbs?

Before purchasing your electric, solar or battery-powered lighting, consider the type of bulbs it uses.

Incandescent bulbs

Energy-saving light bulbs, incandescent bulbs work by heating a filament until it is so hot that it emits visible light, this means that it takes them a few seconds to reach full brightness.

They are the least energy efficient of all bulbs and have a shorter lifespan than other options. Incandescent bulbs can also get very hot over time.

If you have children or pets, be sure to choose bulbs that are out of reach to avoid injury.

Halogen bulbs

Halogen bulbs save 20% energy compared to incandescent bulbs and reach full brightness instantly.

They are also better for the environment, but, like incandescent bulbs, they have a short lifespan and get hot when used for long periods.

LED bulbs

LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs save 90% more energy and last 30% longer than incandescent bulbs.

They provide full brightness instantly, so you don't have to wait for full illumination. They are not made from harmful materials, so they are safe to dispose of.

For more information, check out our light bulb buying guide to help you choose the right bulbs for your home.

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